Health and science wing opens at Career Center

Jesse Dockett | Times PhotoA visitor walks past photos taken by Career Center students while exploring the new health and science wing at the Bay Arenac ISD. The 36,000-square-foot, $6.2 million health and science wing will allow students to explore careers in physical and occupational therapy, sports medicine, veterinarian medicine, and forensic science.

Hundreds attend Sunday's ribbon cutting ceremony

Despite a steady onslaught of rain on Sunday, more than 300 people turned out to help welcome the Bay-Arenac ISD Career Center's new health and science wing.

"We're overwhelmed and pleased with the turnout," said Mike Rivard, principal of the Career Center, 4155 Monitor Road in Monitor Township. "It was pouring rain outside and at 11 o'clock this morning we thought because of the weather we wouldn't have anybody, but we've had an absolutely tremendous turnout.

"I think it speaks well of the commitment that people have for the Career Center and the opportunities that are here for young people."

With the opening of the 36,000-square-foot, $6.2 million health and science wing, students can now explore careers in physical and occupational therapy, sports medicine, veterinarian medicine, and forensic science.

Jesse Dockett | Times PhotoShawn Ford and his mother, Cindy, tour the auto body repair room at the Bay Arenac ISD during the open house.

"The Career Center in general is just awesome," said Hailey Hentschel, a senior at Bay City Western High School who is enrolled in the new veterinary program. "This class will definitely help me, I know I want to be a veterinarian."

Hentschel has met one of her best friends through the career center and said it provides many opportunities and helps students stay on top of their school work and goals.

"We're very excited about the Career Center," said Jean Goodnow, president of Delta College and keynote speaker at Sunday's ribbon cutting ceremony. "The facilities here are just wonderful and ... many of their students are coming to (Delta College) after they graduate and are able to earn college credits.

"I'm just so excited for this whole area and what this brings to our students for the future."

Jesse Dockett | Times PhotoOfficials who played a major role in the creation of the new wing snip the ribbon during the opening ceremony.

Goodnow said Delta officials look highly upon applicants who have been enrolled in programs at the Career Center.

"They come to us having achieved some competency levels already and many of them have already achieved an opportunity to earn some college credit," she said. "So it just gives them a head start."

Students can earn college credit to many colleges through the Career Center, including Delta, Baker College, and Ferris State University.

Ethel Birchler, the physical therapy instructor at the Career Center, said she is impressed by the new health and science facilities.

"We have this gorgeous facility, it's state of the art," said Birchler. "I have to say, it's nicer than some universities and colleges, so we are blessed."

All of the classrooms and labs throughout the entire Career Center were open during Sunday's three-hour open house and staff was on hand to provide information about specific ISD programs.

The 2 p.m. ribbon cutting on the health and science wing was forced indoors by the rain and took place in the new, 300-seat lecture hall.